Ways to Protect Your Information.

As the holiday season approaches, be vigilant against the rise in scams targeting online shoppers and financial accounts. Remember to verify the legitimacy of emails, avoid sharing personal information, and report suspicious activity immediately to protect yourself and your finances.   Remember, we will never contact you and ask you for your account data or confidential credentials. Do not be tricked with phony phone calls or clever emails. Contact us when in doubt. Your Arrha team is watching out for you!



Santa’s Top 10 Tips to Outsmart Holiday Scammers!

1. Use strong, unique passwords.
2. Avoid clicking on suspicious links.
3. Shop on secure, trusted websites.
4. Enable two-factor authentication.
5. Monitor your accounts regularly.
6. Beware of unsolicited calls or emails.
7. Verify charities before donating.
8. Avoid using public Wi-Fi for transactions.
9. Update antivirus software.
10. Shred sensitive documents.

IRS Identity Theft Central

"Tax-related identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information to commit tax fraud. Your taxes can be affected if your Social Security number is used to file a fraudulent return or to claim a refund or credit."  Learn more to safeguard your identity at IRS Identity Theft Central.

Scam Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

SmartPhone and Mobile Device Security Tips

Lock Your SmartPhone

Set up a screen lock so the phone cannot be accessed or used without a password. Use a real alphanumeric password, not a 4-digit pin, and ensure the screen is set to lock automatically after 1 to 5 minutes of being idle.

Don't Leave your SmartPhone Unattended

Don't leave your SmartPhone sitting around in public spaces...it's easy to do. Put it in your coat, pocket, briefcase, purse, wherever it can be out of view when not in use.

Don't Give your SmartPhone to Strangers

If someone needs to make an emergency call home and asks to use your phone...don't. Rather than give the person your phone, make the call for them and put it on speaker.

Keep your SmartPhone Up-To-Date
You know those system updates you've been ignoring for a while? Install them. Most SmartPhone system updates include enhancements to device security. When updates are provided by the manufacturer, install them.

Use 'Find My iPhone' or Similar Service

There are free, very easy SmartPhone tools available that allow the tracking and wiping service for Androids, iOS, Windows and Blackberry phones. These tools and services allow the user to lock, track, or wipe their SmartPhone remotely if lost. This not only protects your personal data, but it could help you recover a lost or stolen device.

Don't Download Apps from Untrusted Sources

Do not enable the "non-market Apps" setting on your SmartPhone. These types of Apps are riddled with vulnerabilities. Only install Apps from the SmartPhone manufacturer's approved online App Store.

Do 'SmartPhone Apps' Due Diligence

Do your homework! Read the 'Permissions' screen when you download and install new Apps to your SmartPhone. Many Apps will let you know that they are accessing your location, call history, contacts, and other personal data. Realize too when these Apps deliver your SmartPhone information to other third-party companies for other uses.

Watch Those Attachments!

Be careful about opening attachments sent to your SmartPhone by people you don't know. Many attachments are used by hackers to deploy malicious software and viruses.

Encrypt SmartPhone Data

Most new SmartPhones make it relatively simple to encrypt the contents of the phone. This ensures that even if the phone does fall into the wrong hands and is accessed because the screen lock was bypassed, some level of protection still remains for your personal data.

Call-Forwarding SCAM

Identity thieves have learned how to "Call-Forward" telephone numbers to a fraudulent call center where criminals are stealing identities. Although Arrha Credit Union has implemented the necessary precautions and procedures to prevent the inadvertent disclosure of its membership's confidential information to these thieves, it is highly recommended that you contact your local telephone service company and request that "Call-Forwarding" be disabled, and enable "Password-Protection" on your telephone number, if available.

It is important to always remember, Arrha Credit Union will under NO circumstances send an email or leave voicemail messages on a mobile or home telephone requesting a member to reply to an email or call in to update or verify financial account information